After finishing the call with Li Xun, Xing Zheng opened the files Li Xun had sent. The folder was large and contained many photos, all showing Liu Qinye playing cards at underground casinos or mahjong parlors.
Due to the age of the photos, their resolution was not high. Xing Zheng flipped through them casually but stopped when he saw one. In the photo, Liu Qinye was standing and talking with a man. The man's face was only shown in profile, and due to the low resolution, only an outline could be seen.
However, even with just an outline, it was enough for Xing Zheng to recognize him.
He zoomed in on the photo several times, staring at the familiar profile…
In the photo, the man talking to Liu Qinye was none other than Xing Sha!
Xing Sha knew Liu Qinye, so he must have known about Liu Qinye's relationship with Xie Qin Jia. Yet, he had previously claimed that Xie Qin Jia had only dated him. Since Xing Sha knew of Liu Qinye's existence, what about Xie Qin Jia and Zhao Jiang He…?
The last time he told Xing Sha that Zhao Jiang He might be Xie Qin Jia's child, Xing Sha had reacted very emotionally and denied it. If Xing Sha wasn't acting, it meant he didn't know how Zhao Jiang He became part of the Zhao family, which was a question he himself had been unable to investigate.
Recently, he had examined almost all of Rong Shi's interactions with the Zhao Corporation and found no commercial conflicts. The Zhao Corporation was once managed by Zhao Yu, Zhao Jiang He's father. After Zhao Yu and his wife died, it was handed over to Zhao Rong. Neither Zhao Rong nor Zhao Yu had ever had any conflicts with Xing Sha… It was likely that something had been deliberately hidden in the meantime.
Xing Zheng did not bother to ask Xing Sha. Since Xing Sha didn't even admit to Liu Qinye's existence, how could he possibly tell him about other matters?
Lin Mei and Xu Ying's news was seen by Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue the next day. The elderly couple called Lin Mei early in the morning to ask about it, "Are you serious about that young man?"
Xiao Yue and Lin Zheng De had already checked Xu Ying's background. He was still in college and only twenty-three, four years younger than Lin Mei. They were naturally worried, "Isn't he too young, immature, and unable to take care of you?"
"No, he's very mature." Lin Mei hadn't told her parents much about Xu Ying before, mainly because they were pretending to be a couple then. Now that they were really together, she had to explain. "He's a responsible and dependable person, and I'm very happy with him."
Lin Mei's tone was light and cheerful. Hearing this, Xiao Yue and Lin Zheng De could also feel her happiness. "As long as you're happy, then find some time to bring him back for us to see. If you're serious, your father and I will also vet him."
Having been disappointed by Chen Qi before, the elderly couple was even more cautious and wanted to meet Xu Ying in person. Lin Mei understood their intentions. "Yes, when he and I are both free, I'll go back to see you. He has many competitions in the summer, so he probably won't have time. We'll talk about it when it gets colder."
Speaking of competitions, Xiao Yue became worried again. "Are his competitions dangerous? I was terrified when I looked them up just now."
Lin Mei laughed. "No, he's very skilled. The competitions are just like this. He drives very steadily in normal times!"
Elders didn't understand much about racing information, so Lin Mei explained it to them with her own acquired knowledge. The elderly couple was somewhat reassured.
That evening, when Lin Mei returned home, she was discussing the timing of their trip to Xiangxi with Xu Ying when she received a WeChat message from Ning Rui, "I'm having my wedding on the eleventh, will you be back?"
Lin Mei had always kept in touch with Ning Rui. Just a week ago, Ning Rui was still arguing with Li Xun, saying she wanted to escape from him. Now, a week later, she was having a wedding?
Lin Mei became worried. "Is he forcing you?"
Ning Rui didn't reply for a long time. Lin Mei guessed that she wanted to help Ning Rui but was powerless. With Li Xun's background, how could an ordinary person like her possibly contend with him?
Lin Mei felt sad for Ning Rui. Ning Rui said, "No, I'm doing it willingly."
Ning Rui wanted Lin Mei to be her bridesmaid, and Lin Mei agreed. Ning Rui only had her as a friend, so no matter how busy she was, she had to go back.
After chatting with Ning Rui, Lin Mei told Xu Ying about it. Xu Ying's mind worked quickly, and he smiled, "Perfect timing, I'll accompany you back to visit your parents and attend the wedding. We can do it all at once."
Lin Mei laughed. "Good idea, why didn't I think of that?"
Xu Ying: "What I think of is what you think of. What's the difference between you and me?"
Lin Mei smiled even more brightly. She served Xu Ying some food and teased him, "How many milk teas have you been drinking behind my back lately? You're talking so sweetly."
Xu Ying: "Do you like it?"
Lin Mei: "Sweet talk, who doesn't like it?"
Xu Ying smiled and said, "Really? I was afraid you'd find it cheesy and didn't dare to say much."
"That depends on who's saying it," Lin Mei replied. "If others say it, it's definitely not okay. But my boyfriend, it's fine."
Xu Ying immediately took advantage of the situation. "Okay, whatever my girlfriend says is right."
Lin Mei and Xu Ying had been together for over two months. In mid-August, Lan Lan came to the capital on a business trip, and Lin Mei and Xu Ying arranged to have dinner with her.
Lan Lan's schedule was tight, so Lin Mei and Xu Ying went to find her near the hotel where she was staying. The three of them went to a restaurant and sat down.
Lan Lan teased, "Xu Ying, you're doing great. Mei's complexion is so rosy, it must be thanks to you, right?"
Xu Ying smiled, while Lin Mei blushed. Lan Lan was always so unreserved with her words. "What are you talking about!"
"Where did your mind go? I meant that Xu Ying often brings you delicious food, I didn't mean you two..."
"We take turns cooking," Xu Ying said, smiling and finishing Lan Lan's sentence, fearing Lin Mei might be embarrassed. "My cooking isn't as good as hers, so she does most of the cooking."
It didn't matter who cooked. Lan Lan only saw that Lin Mei was very happy when she was with Xu Ying, and that was enough. Love should be like this.
The three of them chatted about other things. Lin Mei asked Lan Lan, "Are you free this weekend? Come over to my place for dinner."
"No, once you're out with capitalists, don't even think about weekends." Lan Lan was annoyed thinking about Liang Yufeng exploiting her remaining value. "Next time I have a vacation, I'll come with Feng Feng."
Lin Mei said, "Okay, next time then."
Xu Ying and Lan Lan had a good relationship, and the three of them chatted about everything during dinner. The atmosphere was very harmonious, but it was interrupted by two people Lan Lan happened to glance at.
Liang Yufeng was already enough to affect her mood, and Xing Zheng was actually with him.
She knew that Xing Sha and Liang Yufeng were in cahoots, but this time, she hadn't heard that Xing Sha had also come to the capital!
"Damn it," Lan Lan cursed.
Lin Mei and Xu Ying turned their heads to look. Seeing the two men, they understood why Lan Lan had sworn. Lan Lan said, "This is so unlucky. Let's go eat somewhere else."
Xu Ying also looked at Lin Mei. If she wanted to leave, he would immediately take her away.
But Lin Mei didn't panic. She withdrew her gaze and said indifferently, "There's nothing to change."